| Ayrshire features many outstanding golf courses, | | | | allow students of the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf |
| including two Open Championship venues. In | | | | Academy to practice course management skills, it |
| recent years, the area has seen an escalation in | | | | features the same tricky aspects as the |
| golf tourism because of the nearness of Glasgow | | | | Championship courses. Its eclectic mix of holes is |
| Prestwick Airport and the provision of an | | | | suitable for beginners and more accomplished |
| increased number of direct air connection. | | | | players to practice links golf techniques. 2009 |
| Turnberry The Westin Turnberry Resort, | | | | summer green fee rates (for 18 holes) were |
| Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland KA26 9LT offers | | | | £24 and £34, dropping to £20 and £25 |
| two 18-hole Championship Links courses along | | | | from 1st November. |
| with the 9-hole Arran "Academy" Course. Ailsa | | | | Prestwick Prestwick Golf Club, 2 Links Road, |
| Course This par 70 course has hosted 3 Open | | | | Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland KA9 1QG is a mere |
| Championships. | | | | ½ hour from Glasgow, sharing its boundaries |
| At over 7,200 yards from the back tees, it | | | | with Royal Troon Golf Club. Other high-quality |
| provides a stern test for even the best players. | | | | courses, such as Glasgow Gailes, Irvine Bogside, |
| From the outset, if offers little respite, with the | | | | Kilmarnock Barassie and Western Gailes are just a |
| wind blowing off the sea for the first 3 holes. | | | | short drive away. Designed by "Old" Tom Morris |
| Holes 4 to 11 provide glorious coastal views. The | | | | and founded in 1851, Prestwick hosted its first of |
| 9th is the "signature" hole, with the renowned | | | | 24 Open Championships in 1860 and the last in |
| lighthouse as a backdrop to a disconcerting drive | | | | 1925. The par 71, 6,544 yards layout underwent |
| across the corner of the bay. On turning for | | | | extensive renovation in 1999. It is a very tight, |
| home, players need to maintain control and good | | | | challenging course, carved out of the sand dunes; |
| course management skills as cunningly contoured | | | | a "classic" links course, with numerous blind shots, |
| fairways and undulating greens can deceive the | | | | including from the tee. Its signature holes are the |
| unwary. 2009 summer (May-October) green fees | | | | par-5 3rd, "The Cardinal" and the par-4 17th "The |
| were £170 for residents of the resort and | | | | Alps." |
| £210 for non-residents. | | | | Reviews suggest that Prestwick provides an |
| The winter (November-December) rates are | | | | excellent golfing test with some unique challenges. |
| £100 and £125, respectively. Kintyre Course | | | | It was rated a "must play" course by many |
| Renowned course architect Donald Steel | | | | reviewers. Visitors are accepted on all weekdays, |
| revamped the original Arran course, dating from | | | | though tee times are limited at weekends. Men |
| 1909, into a breathtaking Championship course. | | | | must have a maximum handicap of 24 and ladies |
| Some holes appear harmless enough, but every | | | | 28. "Winter Special" weekday green fees are |
| one on this par 72, 6,921 yard layout provides its | | | | offered from November 2009 to March 2010, |
| own challenges. Accuracy from the tee is vital, | | | | being £85 per round or £110 for a day ticket. |
| with the rough abundantly interspersed with spiky | | | | From 1st April to 31st October 2010, fees will be |
| gorse. The 8th is the "signature" hole involving a | | | | £120 per round, £175 per day ticket, with a |
| drive from a raised tee towards the sea and a | | | | reduced rate of £60 for further rounds in the |
| haunting blind second shot to a green appearing to | | | | same week. Reservations need to be confirmed |
| amalgamate with the beach beyond. The back | | | | by payment of a non-refundable (except for ill |
| nine provides countless tests, no more so than | | | | health) deposit of £50 per player on booking. |
| the 18th, with its 11 bunkers. Summer green fees | | | | Whichever of Ayrshire`s first-rate courses is |
| are £120 / £140 and £70 / 90 in the winter. | | | | chosen, it is sure to provide an excellent test of |
| Arran Course The 9-hole, par-31 Arran course is | | | | your golfing prowess. |
| an excellent introduction to links golf. Designed to | | | | |